What is ConnectHome?

These days many families are connected to the internet and have instant access right inside their own home. But what about the families who are not always connected? What about Low Income/Public Housing residents?

In 2015, President Barack Obama announced ConnectHome, an initiative with communities, the private sector and federal government to expand high-speed broadband to more families across the country. ConnectHome was launched in twenty-seven cities and one tribal nation all over the continental United States. The City of Rockford and RHA are one of these community partnerships.

More than 60 million Americans lack the digital literacy skills necessary to take advantage of the resources and services found on the internet, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIA Broadband Adoption Toolkit (May 2013.) For this reason, Internet Service Providers, non-profits and the private sectors are offering broadband access, technical training, digital literacy, programs, and devices for residents in public housing units.

The RHA Opportunity…

Every child should be given the same opportunity to build a brighter future and to achieve their dreams. #ConnectHome, will bring high-speed broadband access to RHA residents; those who could benefit the most from the Internet.

Connectivity, digital literacy and computers/devices are essential to full implementation with ConnectHome partners. RHA is committed to leading the implementation of ConnectHome Initiative with its community partner Comcast.

The Comcast program is called Internet Essentials and it includes:

Fast home Internet, a modem and WIFI connection for just $9.95 a month + tax;

No price increases, no activation fees, or equipment rental fees;

A low-cost computer available at initial enrollment for just $149.99 + tax; and

The Digital Divide

Since 1994, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has documented the large increase in access to computers and the Internet in the nation’s public elementary and secondary schools (U. S. Department of Education). Suggesting that digital education is not just the future but it is the present. The biggest problem facing the current educational realm is the lack of internet access at home. According to the Pew Research Center, families that make less than $25,000 a year have significantly fewer internet users than those making $25,000 or more a year. This becomes more of an issue as children who have access to the Web and digital technology at school come home and are not able to complete their homework or other assignments.

According to Advanced Placement and the National Writing Project teachers bring a wide variety of digital tools into the learning process, including mobile phones, tablets, and e-book readers. Their survey reveals the magnitude to which digital utilities are used within the classroom:

73% of AP and NWP teachers say that they and/or their students use their mobile phones in the classroom or to complete assignments

45% report they or their students use e-readers and 43% use tablet computers in the classroom or to complete assignments

It is common for these teachers to have students access (79%) and submit (76%) assignments online

Overall, 62% of AP and NWP teachers feel their school does a “good job” supporting teachers’ efforts to bring digital tools into the learning process, and 68% say their school provides formal training in this area. Still, 85% of these teachers seek out their own opportunities to learn new ways to effectively incorporate these tools into their teaching.

Each program we offer is designed to help you achieve goals, meet objectives, and succeed in your life and career. Whether you have a specific job in mind, or want to learn specific skills, the best way to decide is to envision your desired outcome, and then select the path that will get you there. Sometimes this is easy—you want to build Android apps, you take the Android Developer program! But if you’re not sure, Udacity can guide you in the right direction. The blog is a great resource for career pathing, and you can always email to support@udacity.com.

Student Expectations

-Have basic computer skills and access to a computer and the internet
-Participate frequently and regularly in the online scholarship student community
-Meet project deadlines and keep on track to complete their Nanodegree within 8 months

Student Support

-Have basic computer skills and access to a computer and the internet
-Participate frequently and regularly in the online scholarship student community
-Meet project deadlines and keep on track to complete their Nanodegree within 8 months
-1-on-1 support appointments available to all students
-Personalized feedback on projects
-Discussion forums with expert mentors to answer questions
-Dedicated scholarship student management team to guide students

Recipients of this scholarship can choose to learn one of three cutting edge programs: Intro to Programming Nanodegree, Front-End Web Developer Nanodegree, or Android Basics Nanodegree.

There are 100 scholarships reserved just for ConnectHome participating communities like Rockford.
From the pilot communities of ConnectHome, the RHA Residents located within AT&T’s 21-state wireline service area are eligible.